Journalist

Ryan Gillespie

Ryan Gillespie covers the neighborhoods and governments of Orlando. He grew up in Jupiter and graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. He was previously an intern for the Sentinel.

Ericka Gomez-Tejeda, right, from the Hope Community Center in Apopka delivers remarks at an anti-ICE rally in front of the Orange County Jail, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. Hosted by the Immigrants Are Welcome Here Coalition, dozens of protesters held signs along John Young Parkway to raise awareness for the ICE detainees held at the jail in Orlando and to announce a “No Ice in Our Streets” online petition drive. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

‘Over our ceiling’: Florida county sees jail flooded with ICE detainees

February 4, 2026 at 8:27 a.m.

An attorney said she’s been unable to find some of her clients at the jail, due to some of them being rebooked under a different ID number.

Rev. Dr. Gabriel Salguero, president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition (NaLEC) and pastor of The Gathering Place Church, speaks during a press conference in response to heightened Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity across Central Florida, on Thursday, January 15, 2026. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)

As rumors swirl about ICE surge in Orlando, jail numbers show it already might be happening

January 16, 2026 at 6:27 p.m.

Rumors have swirled on social media this week that Immigration and Customs Enforcement had booked hotel rooms throughout central Florida this weekend.

8 years later, Orlando remembers 49 victims of Pulse mass shooting

October 30, 2025 at 11:29 p.m.

It came as city officials hope to kickstart efforts to build a permanent memorial at the nightclub site — amid some distrust in the latest effort following a failed try...

Singers from the Orlando Gay Chorus take the stage to perform “Por Qué Cantamos” during a remembrance ceremony honoring those killed in the Pulse massacre eight years ago, at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

8 years later, Orlando remembers 49 victims of Pulse mass shooting

June 13, 2024 at 1:03 p.m.

It came as city officials hope to kickstart efforts to build a permanent memorial at the nightclub site — amid some distrust in the latest effort following a failed try...

All Stories